Blessed is the Man

Psalms 32:1-2 A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

God is so good! How do we become one of those whose sin is covered? Why, we confess it to the Lord! In the book of 1 John, we are told how to remain clean, and how to have all of our transgressions forgiven.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

There are really two parts to this. Just what is a transgression? It is an infringement or violation of a law, command or duty. It also means rebellion against God and God’s laws and commands.  So, to transgress is to break one of God’s laws and commandments. Yet, if we confess our sins, God is faithful and washes us clean. Praise God!

Ok, now what is guile? Guile is deceit; craftiness, cunning and deception all describe the meaning of guile. Therefore, guile is really a heart condition. It may be said we do things because we have ulterior motives. Or, we don’t do the right thing because it is the right thing to do; we do it because we hope to profit from it in some way or to avoid punishment. You see we are supposed to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. In every situation, we are given a choice – do right and be righteous or do wrong or unjustly. The Lord weighs the heart.

That leads us to iniquity which really means injustice or unrighteousness; depravity, perversity and wickedness. The Lord will not impute (to reckon or count) iniquity to the man or woman in whose spirit there is no guile – no deceitfulness.

You see God is just and righteous – absolutely and altogether righteous – in that He never does wrong. Not in any way or under any circumstances will the Lord do the wrong thing. Not ever; you can count on it!

Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful . 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

The man or woman who does not walk in a way that he listens to ungodly advise, or stands with sinners against righteousness, or sits being contemptuous or scoffing at others but delights in the law of the Lord is blessed. We are not to listen to vain and worldly arguments or even get involved in them. We are not to take a stand or stake anything of importance in agreement with sinners. And, we are not to look down our nose at anyone or anything as if we were better, brighter or more gifted than they are.

Seems pretty simple and straightforward doesn’t it? Then, why do we do just the opposite? We have God’s law – His Word. We need to be focused on what He has told us and obey without quibbling. We need to take a stand for right, for righteousness’ sake and for purity and not negotiate away any of the advantage purity has over evil. And, we need to remember that we were just like all those in the world who cannot see the truth because of the scales on their eyes – just as we could not see until our savior removed those scales from our own eyes.

Micah 6: 8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

I used to pray – Father, help me do right in every situation no matter how much it hurts me! Help me to do the right thing even if it costs me all I have! Help me to be a true son of God, a son of light in every situation!

And, it has cost me; but, not nearly so much as doing wrong would have! You see, we must live with ourselves first. I know if I have cheated or done something out of greed or self-preservation or fear. I may fool all those around me, but I cannot fool myself or God. God is holy. He calls us to be holy too. We can separate ourselves from this world, and all of its wickedness. It’s a choice. It’s a choice we will have to make every day. I used to tell the men in jail to plan on meeting the thing that they lust after most and have a conversation with that thing and have all their I’s dotted and their t’s crossed. They needed to know the very thing that entices them the most is going to show up and try to grab them by the throat and drag them straight to hell. Now, if I know that around the next corner there is a large armed man waiting for me, I will not saunter right into his net. I will prepare myself and arm myself to do battle. I will turn that corner fully prepared to fight to the death if needs be.

We have to do the same thing in every situation the world and the enemy throws at us. He will wait until you are tired and worn out. He will wait until you think the whole world is against you. He will wait until he sees the opening in your armor that he knows he can exploit. That’s why we need to make a choice; a clear unequivocal choice and take a stand.

I am a man blessed by God, owned wholly and outright by God Himself, and covered by God! I will do right in every situation. I am dead to sin, evil and temptation and I will not falter or cave in. I will stand on God’s Word and my own convictions and I will go down trying if I must. I will never ever succumb to greed or lust every again. I will never take the easy way out ever again. I will never compromise my faith or my sacred honor ever again. I will stand for right, for righteousness sake and for purity as long as I can stand. When I have done my all, and given my all, I will still be standing waiting for the Lord to deliver me! I am blessed to be a blessing to others! I am blessed because I believe! I am blessed because I honor God and His Word! Believers believe and I believe! I am blessed beyond measure! The favor of God Most High rests on me! Hallelujah! Praise God! Praise God for His favor and for His wisdom! Praise God He has made me a blessed man! In Jesus’ name I pray! Amen.